Relationship Between Masticatory Dysfunction and Salivary Microbiota

Oral health predicts adverse systemic health-related outcomes, including future physical frailty. This study aimed to determine whether the salivary microbiome is associated with specific oral health indicators. We collected oral gargle samples from 97 patients admitted to medical wards (mean age, 65 years) and assessed their oral health status. The saliva microbiota was examined via sequencing 16S rRNA genes. Among the oral health indicators, only chewing ability was associated with saliva microbiota. The alpha diversities of bacterial communities decreased as chewing ability declined. Furthermore, patients with normal and abnormal chewing ability exhibited distinct microbial compositions. The relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Limosilactobacillus were higher in the impaired chewing group, whereas Lautropia was more abundant in the normal chewing group. Severe chewing disability might lead to an altered saliva microbiota. This emphasises the importance of restoring chewing function when the disability occurs.